It was found that the moss, Calymperes delessertii Besch could sorb more than 99% of lead and copper ions in a 40QJUM solution in less than 5 minutes. Its maximum sorption capacity for lead and copper is 241.3 and 426.5fxmol g l respectively. pH> surfactants, sodium ions, chloride and sulphate ions do not have any apparent effect on the sorption of these metals. In the presence of EDTA, the metals are bound more strongly to the complexing reagent than to the moss. The order of retention of mixed heavy metals in solution is found to be lead, copper > cadmium, nickel > zinc. Studies on moss columns indicate that lead and copper are effectively removed from solutions and that the heavy metals are sorbed on the upper layer of the moss column. Eluants contained no detectable metals ions.